Week of Monday, May 10, 2021 by Daily Titan

Monday, May 10, 2021

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

Volume 109 Issue 16

Titans keep streak

Softball’s sweep over Hawai’i maintained their 22-0 conference record. JOSHUA BYFIELD Asst. Editor

Cal State Fullerton’s softball team took all four games against the University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine in a pair of weekend doubleheaders, which extended Fullerton’s streak of conference series victories to 28. The Titans remain atop the conference standings with an undefeated 20-0 record against Big West opponents and an overall record of 38-12 with only one series left to play in the regular season.

Julia Valenzuela, seen here on April 24, batted 3-3 in the Titans’ series finale against Hawai’i on Saturday at Cal State Fullerton. (Andre Gomez / Daily Titan)

LIFESTYLE

OPINION

Educator Virgie Tovar uses nature to help students understand their bodies.

Title 42 unfairly stops immigrants from entering the U.S. due to

SEE PAGE 7

SEE PAGE 10

NEWS Instagram page protests the CSU vaccination requirement.

SEE FIRST

SEE PAGE 2

Spring concert Irvine campus sold yields low for $24.5 million attendance Associated Students kicked off its virtual event with Dominic Fike and Louis the Child. MATTHEW COOK Staff Writer

tal of 367 people watching the livestream. ASI also gave students an incentive to get their tickets and tune in. The first 1,000 students who registered received an exclusive Spring Concert package. Maroun Zahkia, a program coordinator for ASI, said booking entertainment for this event was harder than it has been in the past, but their hard work resulted in a stellar lineup for students to enjoy. “The booking process for Bretman, Louis The Child and Dominic Fike was similar to previous years. Although it was a bit more tough due to the show being virtual, my amazing team and I managed to bring one of the best lineups that Cal State Fullerton has ever seen,” Zahkia said. The livestream began at 6 p.m. when Battle of the DJ’s winner and CSUF student, Glenn Childers, also known as Citra, took the stage. He performed his set outside of the Titan Student Union and provided some of his own raps with the music. SEE MUSIC

ALLISON SWEIGARD Staff Writer

Cal State Fullerton sold its Irvine campus for $24.5 million in March, according to CoStar Realty Information, nearly eight years after the two buildings in the Banting Corporate Center were bought for $30.5 million. The property was assessed in 2020 for $21 million, according to the Randy Hayer website.

CSUF’s Auxiliary Services Corporation, known as ASC, spent approximately $4.3 million on improvements for the two buildings, said Chuck Kissel, the corporation’s executive director. Kissel could only speak on ASC’s spending on the building, but did not confirm the exact amount the university spent as a whole on Banting. In 2018, an audit report sent to President Fram Virjee from Larry Mandel, vice chancellor and chief audit officer for the California State University system, had found that the construction had not met the CSU’s requirements.

The report stated that a board of trustees approval had not been obtained prior to construction, and key risk management issues, such as payment and performance bonds, appropriate insurance and contract indemnification clauses, had not always been addressed. But the university faced some major problems during the ASC construction improvements to the property, including a seismic retrofit project that cost over $830,672, opposed to the proposed and accepted amount of $798,394. SEE SALE

(Cristina Zapata) / Daily Titan)

Musical melodies, blinding lights and a raging audience did not crowd the Intramural Fields on Saturday night for the annual concert. Instead, Associated Students brought the joy of music to students with an entirely virtual Spring Concert, complete with a celebrity host and popular music to keep audience members dancing at home. ASI’s annual concert invited host Bretman Rock along with artists Dominic Fike and Louis the Child to entertain students through their computer screens— an effective way to keep music alive and everyone safe. The event was held on Eventbrite and tickets were free of charge. Despite Cal State Fullerton’s abundant student body and free tickets, the attendance was lacking. Over 2,500 students registered for the event, but by the end of the show during Louis the

By July 1, the South Orange County center will no longer be available to students. Child’s set there were a to-

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2 News

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 10

Instagram page protests CSU vaccine mandate CSUF is awaiting FDA approval to require vaccination for the fall. TRISHA VASQUEZ Asst. Editor

An Instagram page is publicly opposing the California State University system’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement that may be implemented across the 23 campuses in the fall and is receiving support from CSUF students. The CSU system is currently awaiting Food and Drug Administration approval to mandate vaccines for the fall 2021 semester, where Cal State Fullerton plans to offer 60-70% of classes in-person. The system wide mandate may require individuals to have received at least one or more vaccines to maintain everyone’s health and safety, said the CSU in a statement. The University of California system is also planning to require people to be fully immunized prior to returning to any campus. The Instagram account, with the username, @ stopvaxmandates, claims to consist of faculty, staff and students in their bio who are associated with the CSU system who “vehemently oppose vaccine mandates.” According to the account’s first post, they are not claiming to be anti-vaccine or pro-vaccine, nor are they claiming to be

siding with any political party. As of Sunday, the account has under 100 followers and has stayed active since its creation. The account has shared posts that question the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness due to a few deaths after it was administered. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. has seen less than two deaths per 100,000 vaccinations. Investigations into the deaths later found that the vaccine did not contribute to their passing. Sydney Lacy, a junior at CSUF, said she is against the vaccine mandate and supports the Instagram page. She fears the mandate because she is concerned about the long term side effects of the vaccine, Lacy said. “One of the great things about living in America is that we have free will to make our own decisions and we deserve medical freedom,” Lacy said “I don’t shame anyone for their decision whether they choose to get the vaccine or whether they choose not to, essentially it should be your choice. However, I have an issue when people look down on you and treat you differently for not wanting to get the vaccine.” Sophomore Britney Castaneda said her concerns about the vaccine surrounded its lack of testing and not being officially approved by the FDA. “This vaccine shouldn’t be mandated at all especially in a public school system. It’s

ridiculous. Everyone in the state has their right to get vaccinated or not, why can’t the public school system also have that choice?” Castaneda said. The Daily Titan reached out to the creator of the page, who did not give their name due to their position on a CSU campus. According to the account owner, not too many of their followers, who are against the vaccine mandate, wanted to speak out either due to the belief of retaliation toward students and employees. In a call to action, the Instagram account is forming a campaign against the vaccine mandate with a “rally for medical freedom” from May 17-19 at the CSU chancellor’s office during the board of trustees meeting which encourages their followers, including CSUF students to attend and voice their concerns. The account owner claims it will be harder to identify people with masks on at the rally so there is some comfort knowing that their identities can be somewhat concealed at this meeting. Ellen Treanor, a CSUF media representative, said the CSU meeting was designed to create the space to get feedback from faculty, staff, students and union partners. “I encourage faculty and students to give their opinions on this matter. I think all voices need to be heard,” Treanor said.

Cal State Fullerton plans to return to primarily in-person instruction for the fall 2021 semester. (Isaias Ruelas / Daily Titan)

Sale: CSUF under confidentiality contract 1 Ellen Treanor, CSUF’s associate vice president for strategic communications, told the Daily Titan that due to a strict confidentiality agreement, she can’t reveal what they plan to do with the money from the sale or who the new tenants will be. After buying the property for $30.5 million, investing at least $4.3 million in property, and selling the property for $24.5 million this year, CSUF’s capital loss is at least $10.3 million for the two Irvine buildings, without including other costs. “Due to the size and cost of maintaining the Irvine Center, it has been challenging for the university to utilize the property to the fullest extent,” said the university in a statement sent out in January. The statement also stated that the year the university purchased the two Banting buildings, Banting 1 was leased to offset cost. Because the university never established a need for the property, the lease of the building continued, most recently to Western Law School. All the while, Banting 3 served as home to CSUF Irvine Center. The statement said that as the pandemic hit in 2020, Western Law School’s lease came to an end on the Banting 1 building. This left CSUF without a fitting tenant for the building, as well as no need to fill the space with their own staff and students due to the remote semesters. To avoid bond payments on the CONTINUED FROM

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empty building, the university listed Banting 1 on the market and ended up with offers to sell both Banting 1 and Banting 3 as a whole. “Its purpose has always been to extend the university’s mission of equity, access, and student success while supporting South County’s business, economic, and workforce development,” the university statement said. CSUF decided to sell the property after receiving an offer on the two buildings, according to their frequently asked questions page. “This review, combined with many other considerations, prompted the university to accept the best offer for the purchase of Banting 1 and Banting 3,” the university statement said. The property was purchased by Telemetry Properties, which was created in December 2020, specifically to purchase that property. The actual buyer of the property was TGS Management, a private company, founded in 1989, that specializes in investing, quantitative finance, technology and software engineering. CSUF classes have been provided at the Irvine campus since its lease in 2011. The spring 2021 semester will be CSUF’s final semester at the Irvine campus and the university will completely vacate the property by July 1, 2021 and relocate all of their services and five full-time staff members to the main campus in Fullerton. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @THEDAILYTITAN

News 3

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 10

Professor emphasizes need for ethnic studies

As the son of immigrants and native to the border city of San Diego, Cal State Fullerton Chicano/a studies professor Alexandro José Gradilla reflects on his journey in higher education, his identity and growing up as a man of color. “My home was maybe 10 or 15 minutes away from the U.S.-Mexico border,” Gradilla said. “But in our imagination, the border was two hours away, and that was figurative, but we literally felt the need to say Mexico was further away than it is so we wouldn’t be identified with that.” Growing up along the border in the 1970s, Gradilla said the community could feel the racial and cultural changes happening all over the city at the time. Gradilla began his work at CSUF 15 years ago and said that his commitment to ethnic studies along with his knowledge in the topic led him to lead the march to bring awareness of the department. Earlier this year, CSUF’s Academic Senate passed a new resolution to follow the state-mandated ethnic studies requirement. However before the passing of this resolution, Gradilla said he had spent his time mobilizing the campus’ student body to advocate for

Alexandro José Gradilla, an associate professor of Chicana and Chicano studies, joined CSUF in 2006. (Cal State Fullerton) been a mentor and a great leader while also someone he feels lucky to work with. “He’s an inspiring figure to me because he’s a person that works to make the university better for our students and so I’ve always looked up to him. He’s also been a person that’s united faculty,” Jefferies said. Jefferies said Gradilla’s push and support for legislation and changes in the university is something he believes has improved students’ academic experiences. “It takes a lot of work to improve this university structurally, not just the adornments, but change how the university works,” Jefferies said. “He was very instrumental in making the ethnic studies requirement something significant.” Gradilla also serves as the secretary of the executive committee for the Academic

Senate. Stephen Stambough, the chair of the Academic Senate, said that he has worked with Gradilla for a very long time as part of the Academic Senate. “He’s a voice in the senate that people look to,” Stambough said. “There’s a respect in terms of the knowledge of policy that he brings to the table, across all types of different policies.” Besides his knowledge, Stambough said that Gradilla is eager to listen and help anyone and that he has worked hard to make sure faculty members mentor students and support their academic success. “His involvement with some of the student groups at the university level, that’s where his passion really lies,” Stambough said. “That’s where he sees the biggest impact.”

EDITORIAL

Staff Writer

he understands more of the racial undertones of circumstances like these. Gradilla, the first in his family to graduate from college, received a bachelor’s degree in Chicano/a studies and anthropology. He also pursued a doctorate in ethnic studies from UC Berkeley and a master’s degree in anthropology from the University of Michigan. Despite his degrees, Gradilla said that his first semester at Berkeley was difficult, he put himself on academic probation and struggled with being away from his family. As an early admit to Berkeley, Gradilla said he struggled with not knowing how to be a college student and faced a lot of racial tension. Gradilla said he discovered a new world of Mexican-Americans that were not afraid to embrace whiteness, specifically people from Los Angeles. “For me, being around all the LA people was very empowering to me, because LA had already started shifting in ways that now we’re seeing in parts of the Inland Empire, Orange County, where Mexican is normal, where Latino is normal,” Gradilla said. Gradilla said that he found his path in ethnic studies and anthropology, and was fascinated by Mexico. He said he questioned its origins and the native indigenous groups in the country which led him to become a professor. Julián Jefferies, affiliated faculty member with the Chicano/a studies and education departments, said Gradilla has

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AB 1460, the bill that would mandate a three-unit ethnic studies course as a graduation requirement within the Cal State Universities. Gradilla said that before his arrival at CSUF, the ethnic studies department was marginalized, which led him to make the university’s administration aware of the department’s existence. “It’s been great being on campus because the campus has afforded me the chance to demonstrate what ethnic studies is,” Gradilla said. “It’s given me a chance to let them know this is what a Latino faculty person, a Chicano faculty person can do, despite any passive or aggressive stereotypes.” During high school, Gradilla said he was the only Mexican-American student in a gifted and talented program and that many teachers often said they wished other Mexican students would be like him. Gradilla said he did not realize until later that this was a form of microaggressions, where backhanded compliments were at the same time insulting minorities. “For me I was like ‘Oh, thank you,’ you know? What do you say to that?” Gradilla said. “When you have the anecdotal facts in front of you that you’re the only Mexican kid in the advanced placement classes, what do you say?” Gradilla said that at the time, he didn’t understand the racial dynamics of students of color being part of advanced classes and said that now when he looks back at his experiences,

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FOR THE RECORD It is Daily Titan policy to correct factual errors printed in the publication. Corrections will be published on the subsequent issue after an error is discovered and will appear on page 3. Errors on the Opinion page will be corrected on that page. Corrections will also be made to the online version of the article. Please contact Editor-in-Chief Jessica Benda at (657) 278-5815 or at editorinchief@dailytitan.com to report any errors.

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4 News

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 10

Mojgan Sami facilitates discussion with students in her class at Cal State Fullerton. (Matthew Gush)

Mojgan Sami speaks with Penny Weismuller, director of the Cal State Fullerton School of Nursing. (Matthew Gush)

From Iran to Japan, educator’s love for public health goes beyond one nation As a teacher, Mojgan Sami said her students teach her as much as she teaches them. JESSICA BENDA Editor

Mojgan Sami has been teaching ever since she fled Iran. She was only six then — traveling with her family to escape religious persecution and moving country to country. But someone had to decipher the language and cultural cues to teach the rest of the family, so Sami became the bridge. “I had to go out and learn; I had to come home and teach,” she said, kind eyes behind black-rimmed glasses. As she grew, so did her knowledge. She took up roles in the World Health Organization, earned her doctorate and continued passing the things she had learned to others. By some stroke of serendipity, she now teaches at Cal State Fullerton. But to know how she got here, we have to go back. Leaving Iran Six-year-old Sami was outspoken, bold, and unafraid of challenging authority. In many countries, it would be admirable. In Iran, it was deadly. The 1970s bolstered turmoil within the country, culminating in the Iranian Revolution at the decade’s end. Many who weren’t in the dominating religion of Shia Islam were persecuted, including the largest religious minority, the Baha’i faith, as well as Christianity and Judaism. Sami, a Baha’i, felt it firsthand. “Even in classrooms in Iran, teachers were starting to pick on minority kids,” she said, adding that the turmoil was driven by a need for power rather than the religion of Islam. Too young to realize the penalty, Sami stood up for her classmates of minority faith. She should have come home praised. Instead, she came home bruised. It was a regular occurrence — teachers beating students who went against their wishes. At that young age, Sami said she didn’t know how to handle an authority figure hurting a friend or classmate. She couldn’t understand why they would hurt others because they were different. More than that, she couldn’t stay quiet and watch. Sami said her mother saved her life, after she often came home sporting fresh bruises. VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

“She looked at my father and she said, ‘If we don’t get her out, they will kill her.’” So as the political turmoil reached a boiling point, Sami’s family left the country. “There was a coup d’etat in Iran that was happening as everything was crumbling around us,” she recalled. “We got out right in the nick of time. We lost everything material, but we had our family intact, and we had our lives.” She was privileged to have her family whole, she said — most who escape revolution aren’t so lucky. They ended up in the United Kingdom and eventually the United States, but the journey was far from easy. “I remember I didn’t want to leave Iran — that’s home. You know, this is the thing about revolutions. It doesn’t just topple, it’s insidious. It happens slowly,” Sami said. “There might be violence around it, but life still happens. This is the weird thing. People still need to get food, people still need to put gas in their car.” When Sami’s family arrived in the United States, safety was a relative term. It was during the time of the Iran hostage crisis, which sparked hostility against Iranian people in the U.S. As a child in Orange County, Sami found herself facing the same bruises in school that she endured in Iran, this time at the hands of her classmates. She recalled being beaten up daily and thinking that it was normal. “It was tough,” she said. “Hearing all the slurs about Iranians and people not understanding that we escaped persecution, that we are not the people that you are fighting against. We are the ones who were also victimized by these fanatic power hungry people.” Working globally Years later, Sami’s cultural and language teachings to her sisters, parents and grandparents bloomed into a passion for urban planning. Even before she sent her college applications, Sami knew that she wanted to work internationally. After snagging dual master’s degrees in economics and international law from Johns Hopkins University, a consulting assignment with the World Bank blossomed into a full-time job that whisked her away to Europe and Central Asia. That was her ticket for an eventual spot at the World Health Organization. “I wasn’t aware how much I loved health until I went to work at the WHO,” she said. “My love of urban

planning actually started at WHO as well, because I knew that we’re now inhabiting a world that is more urban than it is green and natural, so that means more there’s more concrete in the world than natural space for habitats.” Working globally to study these health impacts, she said that the international aspect always perks up people’s attention, but as an immigrant, even local work is global work for her. “Because I am quite bicultural, I actually feel most at home in a third culture, because I’m so used to being an outsider, that when I’m an outsider, my curiosity is just — my head and heart are so open, and I want to meet people. I want to learn,” she said. Her work with the WHO eventually swept her to the vibrant cityscape of Kobe, Japan, where she would stay for the next two years. Adapting to new customs and culture was not a simple task as she adjusted, but nestled in newness, she felt at home. Her coworkers were from Kenya, the Philippines, India, Britain and a myriad of other countries, and she said speaking with them fostered an understanding on how similar human beings are. They spoke about similar things, like waiting for romance or the stress of wanting to make a perfect report for a supervisor. “Those are the things that we talked about the things that made us human, the things that brought us joy,” she said. “We’re all exactly the same, we just speak differently, we might look a little different. And we call things different names in different languages.” A revelation In 2006, Sami heard a question that spurred the events that lead to a teaching career: Why do doctors treat people for disease, and then send them back to the conditions that made them sick in the first place? Asked by Dr. Lee Jong-Wook, then director-general of the World Health Organization, Sami said the question rocked her world. She decided she needed to learn more and sought a doctorate in urban planning and public health, moving from Japan to study at UC Irvine. It would be brief, she thought, finish her classes and return to her international career. But as a graduate student and teacher’s aide, she fell hard for teaching. Her passion for public

health was driven by her love for social justice, and though she had been working with the WHO on big policies and guidance for countries, she was craving community connection again. While teaching a class at UC Irvine, she realized teaching may be the best way to make a big impact. “I had this aha moment in a discussion group with my students one time,” Sami recalled. “I was like, if I can train students to be change makers, to make the world more just, more healthy, more equitable through public health and urban planning, isn’t that more social justice work than me by myself trying to do something?” Still, as she applied for schools worldwide, she never anticipated staying local. Then one of her students at UC Irvine told her about an opening at Cal State Fullerton. “She said, ‘Dr. Sami, this is screaming your name.’ And I read it, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is my job.’” After the interview, Sami said she was so enamored with CSUF that it was hard to go to any other interview. She stressed for months until learning she had snagged the job, starting as an assistant professor in public health in fall 2019. She was thrilled, she said with a smile as bright as the students she teaches. And now? Sami approaches her job not just as getting students a degree, but as a way to encourage critical thinking and advocacy. “The way that I approach teaching is not just I’m going to fill your head with knowledge. It’s what can I teach my students? How can I mentor my students to be those social justice advocates with me in the field?” she said. “How do I bring people together as a community to do this work?” Sami said that students teach her as much as she teaches them. Even as she ages, her students stay the same, bringing her fresh, young perspectives she may not have seen before. “It’s so important to be in touch with that spirit of change and transformation and excitement and that future thinking, because I’m like we, we didn’t do everything we could to create the best world for you,” she said. “But I know what we were missing, so if I can connect that to the current thinking in students and we do all the work together, then I can be an ally.” In sunny Orange County, Sami is miles from Iran or the UK or Japan, but her impact will surely stretch that far.

Lifestyle 5

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 10

Students’ guide to graduation photos STEPHANIE CASTILLO CRISTINA ZAPATA Staff Writers

The empty buildings, parking lots and sidewalks bring back a sense of nostalgia as graduates realize they will soon be saying goodbye to their alma mater. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cal State Fullerton’s graduating classes of 2020 and 2021 are allowed to step foot on campus to take their graduation photos. The familiar structures students used to walk past without a second glance look a little different, now that graduation is only a month. The university still has protocols in place for designated photography spots on campus. Graduates are welcome to come to campus in groups of eight or fewer to capture photos commemorating their time spent at CSUF. To take photos at the Langsdorf Fountain, Titan letters, Titan Towers, Titan Fountain and the promenade entrance, students should plan to stay for at least one to two hours, expect lines and pack comfortable shoes to walk in. Students can park in the Nutwood Parking Structure and walk toward Langsdorf Fountain, located on Nutwood Avenue beside the orange trees. This is the first spot designated for photoshoots; a wide open space which is great if there are many graduates there at once. At this location, students can enjoy a variety of backgrounds without having to travel far. Beside Langsdorf Fountain, there is a tall arch — the entrance to the promenade and the next photo opportunity. Students can pose in front of the arch or beneath it to capture the CSUF letters in the background, making the campus a significant part of their photos. Taking a stroll down the Promenade walkway to the center of the campus will be the next popular photo location, the Titan

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CINDY PROAÑO / DAILY TITAN Student Union. Here, students can take a wide shot with the giant letters spelling out “Titans” as their backdrop. This is a very popular spot for grad photos, meaning students should be prepared for a longer wait time. Back toward the Nutwood Parking Structure, students can find the Titan Towers. Standing right on the corner of Nutwood Avenue and State College Boulevard, students can get some elevated shots. The flower bed adds a pop of color to pictures, ensuring they’ll have a nice soft background. If students find themselves unable to go to campus to take their grad photos, or simply want photos with a change of scenery standing apart from their fellow graduates, these four Fullerton city parks will work best to achieve that natural backdrop look.

Laguna Lake Park This park is perfect not only for fishing, but also for graduation photoshoots. The lake serves as a beautiful backdrop; however, photographers should look out for ducks possibly photobombing the shot. This park is also quite large, so carrying comfortable shoes and some sunscreen is recommended. Nearby is the Thankful Tree, a hidden Fullerton gem. This striking tree would look great with a Titan posing right in front of it.

Mountain View Park This park is lush with beautiful daylilies, roses and elm trees that will add an amazing pop to pictures. In the central viewpoint of the park, there are brass plaque guides that show the surrounding views, which include the downtown Los Angeles skyline, Mt. Baldy Peak and Santiago Peak. Ted Craig Regional Park Featuring rolling hills, trees, a small lake, a rose garden and open space, this park is another great photoshoot contender. This park does require a small parking fee ranging from 3 to 5 dollars. This is another large park with lots of walkways and plenty of photo ops. Any of these locations will work perfectly for students to strike a pose in their cap and gown. Just remember these tips and remember to say cheese!

Pokémon Snap creates a picturesque world that builds off the original

JOSHUA BYFIELD Staff Writer

Nintendo is no stranger to remaking Pokémon games, so when the company announced plans for another remake, fans were surprised but not shocked. The news broke in June 2020 that the company was working on yet another sequel for the Nintendo Switch. The company said that they would be releasing a remake of their 1999 Nintendo 64 game Pokémon Snap — the on-rails first-person photography game that features the popular Pokémon creatures in 3D for the first time in the history of the franchise in America. Pokémon Snap was developed by the independent game developer HAL Laboratory, Inc. after a previous Nintendo project called Jack and the Beanstalk fell apart, leaving many of the game’s mechanics to be utilized elsewhere, including an in-game camera feature that became the core premise of this 3D first Pokémon game. Much of what made Pokémon Snap iconic for Western audiences was the new 3D models — a game design that surprised players who were accustomed to 2D sprite models. The game New Pokémon Snap was officially released for the Switch on April 30 by Bandai Namco Studios. The game has evolved almost as much as the Pokémon franchise during the two decades that have passed between the two games, but enough has remained the same to leave the core concept intact and stronger than ever. Like the first game, there are several environments where Pokémon characters can be VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

Hillcrest Park This park has amazing photo-op potential. The park hosts a grand waterfall, a large staircase and scenic trails that any graduate would look great posing in front of. The park is large, so bring a pair of comfortable shoes and students are set for capturing the perfect shot.

photographed. The first course serves as the perfect training ground for both new and returning players. However, as the habitats change and ecosystems become more advanced, the number of hiding places available for photo subjects increases. The game progresses as the player gathers points from taking pictures, but getting enough points to move forward and filling the Photodex for your mentor, Professor Mirror, is harder than it was before. Originally, a Pokémon only needed to be photographed once to complete its entry in the encyclopedia, but this time, each Pokémon has four different entries to fill, one for each level of pose it is captured in. After the player has gone through a course, Professor Mirror will instruct them to select one photo per Pokémon. Each photo will be assigned a star level which refers to the behavior featured. A one-star photo is normal behavior, such as sleeping or walking, while a three or four-star photo will feature Pokémon engaging in rare behavior, such as performing an attack. The game is expectedly repetitive, but the varieties in Pokémon poses, the possible paths available in each stage and the level system for stages keeps the game from feeling overly boring. Most of the characters, including Professor Mirror and a pair of eager photography pupils, are largely forgettable. Players will find themselves wondering why the developers didn’t opt for a more memorable professor, or perhaps somebody from the past, like Professor Oak. Thankfully, the main character Todd Snap returns in the new installment with an updated design that looks refined and adds to the sense of familiarity for returning players. The game takes its largest departure from the old

ways in its inclusion of ‘illumina’ Pokémon, but it may be easier to think of them as ‘boss fights’. As the player progresses through the game, they will learn of a phenomenon called ‘illumina’ that causes Pokémon to glow and sometimes act in spectacular ways. Professor Mirror equips the player with illumina orbs that bestow the effect on any object it strikes. Before long, a large Pokémon with its own stage will appear and no other Pokémon can be photographed. This Pokémon can only be photographed if it is under the illumina effect from the orbs. If a picture is successfully taken, the boss locale will automatically ascend to level two, where additional Pokémon can be photographed along with the boss Pokémon. The most devastating loss from the original game is undoubtedly the apparent loss of Pokémon evolutions in New Pokémon Snap, a major highlight from the first game. Evolution is a key aspect of life in the Pokémon world, and cutting it is a major misstep. All said and done, New Pokémon Snap is a picture-perfect resurgence of the original Pokémon Snap into video game modernity. The game is not without issues, such as the occasionally subpar visuals and frustratingly useless photo-editing tools. The new scanning function is a nice feature, given the high volume of Pokémon that can be on screen at one time. The scanner also causes species of Pokémon with the ability to sense electrical fields to react, another nice touch that adds to the realism that Bandai Namco appears to be trying to achieve. Overall, New Pokémon Snap manages to build upon the original, and succeeds in painting a Pokémon world that is just as wild, complex, beautiful and dangerous as our own. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @THEDAILYTITAN

6 Lifestyle

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 10

Five horror films for a spooky summer STEPHENY GEHRIG Editor

With summer quickly approaching, it’s time to update your “must-watch” movie list. One of the best genres of movies to enjoy in the summer are trashy horror flicks — the ones where the acting is more terrifying than the script. Having a couple of friends over to watch some trashy horror movies is a classic seasonal pastime. To get you ready for the summer, here are five cult-favorite trashy horror movies that will end with more laughs than screams. 1.“Bats” This 1999 horror movie stars beloved ‘80s actor Lou Diamond Phillips who played Ritchie Valens in “La Bamba.” Sheriff Emmett Kimsey, played by Philips, and bat expert Dr. Sheila Casper, played by Dina Meyer, are tasked with protecting everyone from genetically mutated bats that are invading their town. The movie’s plot is very upfront as the film doesn’t have any substance or sub-plots, however, with the right people, you can find some good scenes to rag on the characters. From the fake bats to the horrible acting to even the characters that were only written in to be killed off, “Bats” has some great features to make fun of alongside your friends. The film features some graphic parts, but they are obviously fake and won’t be too harsh for squeamish viewers. “Bats” is available to stream on YouTube for free with ads.

(Destination Films) 2. “Most Likely to Die” Right before summer, graduation is the highlight of the school year for most students, and following suit with that theme is “Most Likely to Die.” Starring big names like Perez Hilton and “Glee” star Heather Morris, this 2015 flick follows a group of friends who are celebrating their 10-year high school reunion. The group members, who made up the high school’s yearbook committee, were in charge of the superlatives — which is where the name “Most Likely to Die” comes from. Dressed in a graduation cap and gown, someone begins to murder the group in accordance to their senior superlatives. “Most Likely To Die” watches like a high school short film and it has barely any substance or character development, which makes it one of the better summertime horror movies. For regular horror movie watchers, the film is a little graphic, but the props aren’t believable enough to give you nightmares; it will be more difficult for viewers who are squeamish at the sight of blood. “Most Likely To Die” is currently available on Tubi.

(Snowfall Films)

3. “I Know What You Did Last Summer” Summertime classic, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” follows a group of teens who acci dentally murdered a fisherman, and a year later, the group is haunted by a note that states, “I know what you did last summer.” Among the chaos of finding out who penned the note, the characters each encounter frightening new fates as the person who wrote the note goes on a murder spree. Starring ‘90s sweethearts Jennifer Love Hewitt and Sarah Michelle Gellar, along with ‘90s actor Freddie Prinze Jr., this 1997 teen slasher is an essential watch to anyone’s summer list of horror movies. Although it’s a classic in the horror genre, the movie is predictable with its plot and it’s easy to figure out who dies next. Hewitt’s awkward “What are you waiting for” scene that shows her spinning in circles in the middle of the street and scenes alike are beyond hilarious and will be perfect to laugh at with your friends. If you’re in for a cheesy slasher film, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” is perfect. With minimal graphic scenes and loads of suspense, this is a great choice if you’re just getting into horror. “I Know What You Did Last Summer” is available to stream on HBO Max.

(Mandalay Entertainment)

4. “47 Meters Down: Uncaged” Perfect for some laughs, “47 Meters Down: Uncaged,” the sequel to the 2017’s “47 Meters Down,” follows some girls in their exploration of newly-found underwater caves in Mexico that contain ancient ruins. Released in 2019, “47 Meters Down: Uncaged” has believable graphics and special effects, however the plot is predictable and the main feature — the shark — is not believable whatsoever. Filled with a great amount of suspense, this movie works wonderfully as a must-watch with friends, especially when the shark comes into view — the jokes will just come flooding out. With a score much scarier than the movie’s content, viewers will be waiting for the next jump scare brought about by loud instrumentals. This movie is not as graphic but still contains some parts that are not squeamish-viewer friendly. If you’re uncomfortable with small spaces, like me, this movie might be too much to handle as the majority of it takes place in underwater caves. “47 Meters Down: Uncaged” is available to stream on Amazon.

(Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures) 5. “Hellraiser” The first part of a 10-film franchise, this 1987 classic, deals with the supernatural in a very creative way. This cult classic film takes viewers into the underworld and features protagonist Kirsty, played by Ashley Lawrence, in her battle against the demons of the underworld. Despite being a huge hit in the late ‘80s, the graphics and animatronics of “Hellraiser” quickly became outdated and laughable. Some scenes, especially one when electricity shoots across the screen, look like Kid Pix graphics or something from Microsoft Paint. Regarding the animatronics, there are scenes where the tracks that the creatures run on are visible or their inner workings can be seen. The script and the acting, on the other hand, are superb as the characters are well developed and the scenes are believable — well, as believable as demon fights can be. If you’re looking for a scary movie to draw you in for a good scare and a good laugh, “Hellraiser” is the right choice for you. This film is not suitable for those who are squeamish with blood and gore, and the bad special effects and content will give viewers nightmares. “Hellraiser” is available to stream on Tubi. VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

(New World Pictures) FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @THEDAILYTITAN

Lifestyle 7

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 10

Music: CSUF student makes DJ debut 1 Along with the livestream there was also a live video chat where students could interact during the performances, ask the host questions and gain shoutouts from ASI — an element of the virtual setting that added to the entertainment. After Citra’s performance the host, Bretman Rock, a notable influencer, joined the stream alongside Zahkia. They discussed life during the pandemic and Rock’s experience as an influencer before turning it over to Dominic Fike. Fike’s performance stole the show with his talented vocals and guitar abilities as he performed his most popular songs. Before each song, he told a story about why he wrote it, resulting in soft moments that captured his passion for music. After Fike’s set, Zahkia and Rock returned for another conversation about Rock’s arts and crafts abilities before bringing out the headliner — Louis the Child. Louis the Child is a notable duo with over six million monthly listeners. Their performance showcased the DJ abilities that made them the popular group they are today. They performed new songs as well as fan favorites and incorporated some outstanding visuals in the background. The show concluded with Rock saying one final goodbye to CSUF and ASI wrapped with an outtake reel of Rock fumbling his words during his recordings for the show. Zahkia said that his team is proud of the event they put on and the responses they got from the audience. “My team and I can confidently say this event was a huge success. We wish we could’ve had this lineup live in person for our students. Nonetheless, our viewers had nothing but positive things to say and we’re proud of what we were able to produce,” Zahkia said in an email. Zahkia also wanted to stress the importance that this whole experience was to give back to the students in such a difficult time. “We wanted to give our students something to look forward to and get their minds off of this difficult year. A fun break we all deserved,” Zahkia said. CONTINUED FROM

The concert was held virtually on May 8. (Danica Huynh/ Daily Titan)

Students embrace self esteem through plants In a May 7 webinar, educator Virgie Tovar compared the human form with nature. KORIN CHAO Staff Writer

Learning how to become body positive and seeing the body as a part of nature were two of the main goals of Virgie Tovar’s Zoom webinar, presented on May 7 by the Humanities and Social Sciences Interclub Council. Tovar is an author, educator, activist and one of the leading experts on body positivity. She holds a master’s degree in sexuality studies with an intersection of body size, race and gender. Tovar is also a contributor at Forbes Magazine where she covers the plus-size market and how to end discrimination in the workplace. Before Tovar began her presentation, she made sure to acknowledge that she is living on

native land belonging to the Ramaytush Ohlone, the original inhabitants of San Francisco. She connected this to the goal of her presentation. “So I mean, one of the things I love about land acknowledgment, beyond the sort of obvious, is that we’re going to be talking today about the connection between our bodies and the land and nature,” Tovar said. Tovar said that in the United States and the general West, people are raised to believe human beings are above all other things, and they disconnect themselves from the rest of nature. She also led a brief mediation and instructed viewers to slow down and relax their breathing as she spoke about how the culture people live in teaches them to have a relationship to movement focused primarily on productivity and utility — not joy, relaxation, pleasure or fun. “I want you to imagine a

world where everybody is allowed to walk safely through the streets,” Tovar said. She described a world with no judgment or shame and where there is a connection between our bodies to nature and animals. Tovar’s first talking point asked a simple question: What if we saw people the way we see gardens? Tovar shared six things that plants have taught her about having a body. “Like plants, people come in all shapes and sizes, and we can recognize all of them as equally stunning and special. And of course, this includes our own bodies, right?” Tovar said. Tovar used a metaphor about walking into a garden where all of the plants were the same. “We would probably be pretty weirded out by a gardener who told us they were dedicated to making every single species of plant look like the one they decided was best. And I think I say that because that’s the sort of culture that we live in,” Tovar said. Tovar also said it’s good and

natural that our bodies have different needs, whether it is food or accessibility needs. She compared this to plants and their various necessities. She said that we don’t have to have a different kind of body to be perfect. “And otherwise put, each of us is someone’s idea of the perfect plant. I’m not necessarily talking about romance here. I’m talking about friendship, any kind of connection, right?” Tovar said. Tovar talked about society’s culture being driven by productivity and competition.. She said that these aren’t conditions for a lovable person and they don’t determine a person’s worth. “Take a lesson from our plant friends. Their only job is to sit on a windowsill or a desk, drinking water and sunbathing, yet they fill up our hearts and bring us a smile,” Tovar said. In the final part of her presentation, Tovar emphasized that there is nothing on a person’s body that doesn’t appear in nature. Tovar described a project

she started where she began taking photos of parts of her body that she had been taught to feel ashamed of, and then went out and found things in nature like trees and cacti that mirrored what she had on her body. “Seeing our bodies in a different way and imagining a different way to interact with our bodies and food are rad, and in fact, decolonizing acts,” Tovar said. Tovar recounted the history of the body mass index and the creator of the term. She evaluated the connections between white supremacy and the idea of body image and health people have today. Tovar said that people need to reject society’s ideas of body image and learn to love themselves instead. “So we can create a culture, we can imagine a culture where the relationship to food and body is characterized by intuition, pleasure, celebration, connection, acceptance, care, ease, comfort and cultural affirmation,” Tovar said.

Virgie Tovar is an expert in enforcing body positivity, also specializing in sexuality studies, race and gender. (Andria Lo) VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

8 Sports

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 10

Titan athlete shines in Big West heptathlon Tammy Vien earned two points for CSUF in the conference champonships. TAMEKA POLAND Asst. Editor

Cal State Fullerton’s Tammy Vien finished the Big West Heptathlon Championships in seventh place with 4,438 points and added two points to the women’s track and field team as their quest for the Big West championship continues. Vien was the only Titan to compete in all seven events, where she placed a new personal best in four of the events: the long jump, javelin throw, 800m and high jump. In the long jump she jumped 5.55m, completed javelin throwing at 25.29m and finished the 800m with a time of 2:33.66. Once on the track in the 100m hurdles, Vien finished with a time of 14.59 seconds, .21 seconds shy of her personal best. In the 200m she had a time of 27.05 where she was just under a second away from her personal best. Vien threw 9.62m in the shot put, placing her just

Tammy Vien, seen here on March 13, ran the 110m hurdles in 15.49 seconds at the Big West Heptathlon Championships. (Adam Maldonado / Daily Titan) inches under her personal best. In her last event to round out her trip to the Big West Championships she landed 1.46m in the high jump, earning a new personal best. The Titans will return to the field as a team on May 14

as the Big West Championships resume and the road to the NCAA Championships in June ensues. Fullerton only has two more days of the Big West Championships before heading to the NCAA West Preliminaries at College Station,

Texas, where the team will compete in a three-day meet from May 27-29. CSUF will end the season on the road when they head to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon where qualifying athletes will compete in hopes of claiming

more wins as they vie to return victories to the Titans. Until then, the Titans will head back to the Big West Championships in Irvine next weekend, May 14 and 15, in an all-day meet looking to bring back a conference title.

First: CSUF on top of Big West standings CONTINUED FROM

Fullerton outscored Hawai’i, 32-10, and earned more hits, 49-22, over the weekend. Fueled by their powerful lineup, they overwhelmed the Wahine pitchers and provided quick starts to Friday’s doubleheader, while ace Sophie Frost and Dani Martinez continued to overpower the opposing batters. Game one started with a bang for the Titans when Daisy Munoz smashed home run No. 10 over the left -field fence of Anderson Family Field in the first inning, scoring Hannah Becerra and Kelsie Whitmore and making it a 3-0 ballgame. Frost started the game and largely kept the bases clear of runners, allowing no more than one baserunner per inning until the seventh where she allowed two, though Fullerton led 5-0 at the time after

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a pair of RBI doubles in the sixth. With game one in the win column for the Titans, game two followed a similar script after Fullerton led 4-0 after a pair of two-run innings. The Rainbow Wahine are a 10-11 in conference play this season, but they showed their ability to fight by battling back on multiple occasions over the weekend, this time being the first to make it a two-run game going into the bottom of the sixth down 5-3. CSUF responded with a devastating blow to the tune of six hits and as many RBIs, which ended the game early once again in victory for the Titans. Saturday’s doubleheader proved to be interesting as Fullerton put up impressive offensive numbers in games three and four which led to crooked scoring totals.

Game three featured more first-inning scoring by both teams after Fullerton led 3-2 going into the second. After the Rainbow Wahine was able to move a run over home plate in the third, the Titans responded with a three-run burst on the strength of three hits and a sacrifice pop fly, making the score 6-3. The game stayed until the bottom of the fifth when the CSUF lineup strung together five runs on five hits, none of which were extra-base hits, and ended the game at five innings for Fullerton’s third win with one game to go. The finale of the series was a culmination of three competitive fights between the Titans and the Rainbow Wahine, tied at No. 4 in the conference with UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara. Hawai’i started the scoring in the first with

a sacrifice fly by Dallas Millwood to score a runner from third. Fullerton responded in the second with a two run, five hit inning, followed by another two-run inning on one swing by Daisy Munoz, who hit a two-run home run to make the score 4-1 in the top of the fourth. The Rainbow Wahine added one run in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, to make it a 5-4 Fullerton lead going into the bottom of the sixth, the winning-run being a Julia Valenzuela RBI double in the bottom half of the fifth inning. Frost entered the game for Alexia Silvas with one out in the sixth and nailed down her second save of her extraordinary season. Kelsie Whitmore recorded three hits twice and two hits once throughout the series, though she did hit safely in all

four games while also chipping in three RBIs. Munoz contributed seven RBIs to the effort, and Becerra went twofor-three with four RBIs in game three. Both Frost and Martinez won two games over the weekend, along with Frost’s save. Frost’s record as a starter this season is 20-3, the most wins in the conference, seven more than No. 2. Whitmore extended her hitting streak to 17 games with a single in game four, second-best in school history. She has hit safely in 29-consecutive games. Softball will wrap its regular season on May 14 and May 15 for one final pair of doubleheaders on the road against Long Beach State. Game one and game three the following day are set to begin at 1:00 p.m.

Sports 9

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 10

CSUF drops series to UC San Diego After an extra innings victory, the Titans lost the next three games to the Tritons. ADAM MALDONADO Editor

After starting the weekend with a walk-off victory in the 16th inning on Friday, Cal State Fullerton failed to replicate their late game heroics for the rest of their home series against UC San Diego Tritons. The Tritons won the final three games of the four-game series at Goodwin Field, capping their gentleman’s sweep with a 6-1 victory on Sunday. Although Fullerton matched

San Diego with eight hits, the Titan’s failed to convert runs in multiple scoring opportunities.The Tritons’ defense was steadfast as they held runners in scoring positions in five separate innings. Brandon Weed anchored the Tritons defense as he struck out nine batters. Through seven innings pitched, Weed gave up seven hits and one run while earning the victory for the afternoon. Fullerton’s Wyatt Johnson got the starting nod and kept San Diego’s bats at bay. He gave up three hits and no runs through four innings before being pulled from the mound. The Titans’ bullpen failed to keep stride with their starting pitcher and allowed the

Triton’s to hang six runs on Fullerton’s relief pitchers. Through six scoreless innings, San Diego put the first run on the board with an RBI single by Blake Bumgartner. A bases-loaded opportunity allowed a hit-by-pitch to bring in the Tritons’ second run. The Titans’ recorded their lone run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. CSUF’s Nate Nankil earned the RBI single which brought home Josh Urps on the play. San Diego extended their lead in the seventh inning with a two-run home run by Tate Soderstrom. The Tritons put the final nail in the coffin in the ninth inning with another two-run home run, this time by catcher Aaron Kim that sealed the victory.

Fullerton earned a 6-3 victory on Friday that came down to extra innings for a winner to be decided. Deylan Pigford gave the Titans the victory with a walk-off threerun home run in the 16th inning, which gave the Titans their only win of the series. During Saturday’s doubleheader, the Titan’s took a 5-2 defeat in game one and a 7-5 loss in game two. For the second consecutive weekend, Fullerton has endured a three-game losing streak against conference opponents when closing out their four-game series. Prior to conference play, Fullerton was treading well below a .500 record, but found their stride against the competition, moving to third place in the

conference standings just last week. Now following two pairs of three-game losing streaks by the hands of Hawai’i last week and San Diego, Fullerton now stands in seventh place with a 12-12 in the Big West, with a 19-24 overall record. The Titans will hit the road for their next matchup against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where the Mustangs will host the Titans for a four game series at Baggette Stadium. Game one of the series will start on Friday at 5 p.m. Saturday will present a doubleheader with the first game at 1 p.m. before the series finale on Sunday, which is also set for 1 p.m.

Tanner Bibee, seen here on April 9, gave up three hits and two runs in the Titans’ victory on Friday. (Adam Maldonado / Daily Titan)

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10 Opinion

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 10

Title 42 discriminates against refugees This emergency regulation endangers immigrants facing civil unrest in their country. JESSICA AITKEN Staff Writer

In March 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services implemented Title 42, an emergency regulation that allowed the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop the entrance into the United States of individuals who could possibly be carrying COVID-19. Reports say that in the span of a few weeks in 2021, there have been more Title 42 expulsions than in an entire year under President Donald Trump’s administration, and Haitians seeking asylum have been most drastically affected. The Trump administration claimed that Title 42 was meant to keep the individuals infected with COVID-19 out of the country. But, with the Trump administration’s track record concerning deportation and denying immigrants asylum in the United States, it would be no surprise if the policy served a double purpose. Now that the United States has access to COVID-19 vaccines, it would be assumed that Title 42 would be lifted and asylum would be granted to those seeking it. However, this is not the case as the Biden administration and the CDC are upholding Title 42 and needlessly turning away hundreds

MARGARET TRAN/ DAILY TITAN of people who are in desperate need of safety. The Biden administration, fully aware of Title 42’s existence, has yet to repeal the title, further denying those seeking asylum a safe entry into the U.S. and an escape from the dangers that they ran away from. While Title 42 is still in place, Haitians are waiting at the border facing discrimination and living in areas that are not safe for them. Pregnant women, infants and children are also forced back to Haiti where there is horrific political and civil unrest. According to a report by Human Rights First, at least 492 attacks and kidnappings have

occured to asylum seekers waiting at the Mexican American border since this January. Furthermore, Guerline Jozef, president of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, shared a story about a Haitian man who had been robbed at gunpoint by unidentified individuals in Tijuana, Mexico. In order to escape, the man had to pay the robbers off. No person, especially those seeking asylum from their nation’s current circumstances, deserves to experience these devastating hardships, and the U.S. should uphold its responsibility to protect these people from suffering. If the concerns are about

asylum seekers carrying the virus and infecting those currently living in the U.S., the solution is simple — administer asylum seekers the vaccine. That way, the health threat is gone and the U.S. can resume its role in aiding those who need it. There is no COVID-19 related reason that warrants the title not being repealed. The White House announced that there will be enough vaccines for all adult Americans to be fully vaccinated by the end of May. With vaccines available and the likelihood many Americans will choose not to be vaccinated, there are ample resources for those seeking asylum.

It is inhumane and vile for the U.S. to uphold Title 42 knowing very well that it is no longer necessary and only further endangers asylum seekers. The Biden administration needs to repeal Title 42 and make asylum available once again. The CDC also needs to encourage the repeal of Title 42 and ensure that asylum seekers are given the opportunity to be vaccinated. They won’t be at risk of spreading the virus, just like anyone else who is fully vaccinated. This way, discrimination against asylum seekers will be minimized and they will be able to find safety and comfort in America.

Suspension violates cheerleader’s rights A student’s Supreme Court case shows the importance of free speech online. MATTHEW COOK CLARA UTTENTHAL Staff Writers

In 2017, after failing to earn a spot on Mahanoy Area High School’s varsity cheerleading and softball teams, high schooler Brandi Levy posted a picture on the popular app Snapchat with with her middle finger in the air and the caption “F--- school, f--- softball, f--- cheerleading, f--- everything.” The post led to the Supreme Court’s involvement with Levy’s case, the time is now to reinforce students’ rights to free speech and remind school staff they are not in full control of what students say. Unfortunately for Levy, the post was sent to her high school cheerleading coach and despite Levy making the post outside of school on a weekend, she was suspended from the cheerleading team for the rest of the year as punishment. While Levy’s decision definitely wasn’t the smartest, her suspension was excessive in nature and violated Americans’ highly valued First Amendment rights. Levy’s actions were in no way disruptive to her school until her cheerleading coach decided to implement unnecessary punishment against her. The incident has caused VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

much discussion nationwide, and the case has been deemed the most important student speech case in more than 50 years as it questions whether online swearing off-campus can be punished. As affirmed by the Tinker v. Des Moines landmark case in 1969, students have the right to free speech whether or not their statements are controversial or negatively charged. The Tinker v. Des Moines case was prompted by two students who came to school wearing black armbands to symbolize their opposition to the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War and were consequently suspended. In a 7-2 decision, the court upheld that the suspension was unconstitutional, and Justice Fortas said, “It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” If the suspension of Levy is ruled constitutional, schools across the country will be able to punish students’ use of disruptive language even when they are off school grounds and during weekends, compromising their free speech at all times. Whether faculty members like it or not, students — especially teenage students — curse. They also talk about authorities and not always in a positive tone. Instead of handing out punishments for something that may or may not happen on school

JADE MCINTYRE/ DAILY TITAN grounds, teachers and parents should teach teens that posting certain content on social media can negatively impact one’s reputation and professional future. When asked whether she thought the school was right to punish her for her Snapchat post, Levy said to CNN, “I feel like I shouldn’t have been, only because it wasn’t on school grounds, and I wasn’t in any school attire.” As members of the Supreme Court come to a decision regarding Levy’s case, they need to remember the Tinker v. Des Moines

case and consider whether Levy’s statement was actually disruptive to school interactions. Suspensions for off-campus incidents have happened before. Students at St. Teresa’s Academy in Missouri were suspended from school for one day after playing a drinking game with solo cups on a table in the shape of a Swastika. In comparison to Levy’s suspension this incident was much more extreme, but their punishment wasn’t as harsh. While the students at St. Teresa’s exhibited racism and anti-semitism and engaged

in underage drinking all at once, while Levy simply expressed frustration over not getting a spot in a couple sports teams. While it’s understandable for Mahanoy Area High School’s faculty members to find Levy’s post distasteful, Levy’s suspension from her cheerleading team was unnecessary and breached her rights to free speech. If the Supreme Court rules that the suspension of Levy was constitutional, free speech for all students would be in danger and schools would have unwarranted power.

Leisure 11

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 10

WRITTEN by Stepheny Gehrig

Do you know where Tuffy is? Follow @thedailytitan and submit your answer on Instagram for a chance to win.

This week will be charged with weird emotions for you, Aries. You might find yourself having a lot of mood swings throughout the week and not recognize them. Be mindful of your emotions this week and try to keep an eye out for when you’re experiencing those mood changes.

This week you’ll feel at ease. The past month has been difficult for you and has taken a toll on your emotions, however this week you’ll feel as if a weight was lifted off your shoulders.

Your romantic side will take over this week. You might find yourself being flirtatious with others or even diving into some good rom-coms. Enjoy this whirlwind week of romance that’s headed your way.

This week, Scorpio, it may be beneficial to keep yourself busy as opposed to sulking around. You may feel down on yourself this week, but keeping your mind busy on frivolous tasks will be a good way to distract yourself from feeling sad.

Your motivation will be on the rise this week. Use this motivation to pick up tasks that you have been putting off.

Sagittarius, you will need to set aside some time for yourself this week. YOu have been booking yourself up with side tasks, work and a social life. Taking time to read, cook yourself a nice meal or even taking a much needed nap will be more helpful in preventing burnout.

Socializing will be essential this week, Cancer. You’ll find yourself in situations where you’re working in groups or meeting new people, so prepare yourself for a week of talking, socializing and getting to know new friends.

Although you may feel like you don’t need help from anyone, this week work toward hearing others’ opinions. Who knows, maybe those around you might have advice that you wouldn’t hear otherwise.

Starbucks Pink Drink Recipe Ingredients: • Water • Sugar • TAZO Passion Herbal Tea • White grape juice • Coconut milk • Strawberries Directions: 1. Prepare simple syrup by placing water and sugar into a saucepan. 2. Heat on medium-high just until mixture begins to boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved. 3. Allow the simple syrup to cool to room temperature. 4. Prepare one bag of tea in a cup of boiling water. 5. Steep tea for five minutes. 6. Allow the tea to cool to room temperature before you make the drink. 7. Add simple syrup, half of the tea, and white grape juice to a glass. Stir well. 8. Add additional tea to fill the glass three-quarters full. Stir well. 9. Add coconut milk and stir well. 10. Add chopped strawberries and serve immediately.

This week may prove to be difficult for you, Virgo. You might find yourself looking down on your own accomplishments or feeling unfulfilled. This week, take a step back from working so hard and try to take in all that you’ve done and all the goals you’ve reached. Looking from the outside in might be able to help you gain a new perspective.

This week, your friendships might waiver. You’ll find yourself picking fights with those in your close friends group. Try to put yourself in their shoes and be mindful of their feelings too.

This week, your friends are the best people on your side. They will prove to be the people who have your best interests in mind. Your friends will be the most trustworthy people and coming into the week, they will have the most to say, but it will be the best advice you can get.

You might feel as if your opinions aren’t strong. You also may feel very swayed by everyone else. Try to keep yourself in check, and recognize when the things you stand firmly for or against begin to falter.

Latinx Student Psychological Association LSPA’s mission statement is to empower the Latinx community through the utilization of relevant and meaningful psychological knowledge that will promote education, advocacy, and selfdetermination, towards the betterment of individual and collective lives. We were founded in the Spring semester of 2013 and have been making our mark on and off-campus ever since. LSPA hosts a wide variety of events ranging from educational panels, study sessions, cultural events, and fun social gatherings! We are a small group; therefore we are able to provide a lot of resources and help our members directly. Our meetings are every other Tuesday from 3:004:00 PM, you do not need to be Latinx or a psychology major to join LSPA, everyone is familia!

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“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” — Nido Qubein VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

12 Opinion

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 10

American studies shapes society’s future Looking at history through the lenses of people of color can repair the country’s prejudice past. TRISHA VASQUEZ Staff Writer

While American studies courses are not required at Cal State Fullerton, they are more necessary and important than those who have not taken them might think. Looking back at American history through the lens of Black, Indigenous and other persons of color rather than solely accepting the overused white-washed version is vital to learning the truth behind our country and how our society still upholds racism, the patriarchy and white supremacy. According to Cal State Fullerton’s website, American studies allows students to gain a deeper understanding of America’s past and present, as well as the cultural differences between races, genders and regions in the United States. As dutiful taxpayers and voters, we are creators of change, and we need to start learning to think analytically and systematically about American structures and institutions that were originally put in place to serve the rich and the white. We need to start thinking about how representation of various cultural groups in art, literature and popular culture affects our thoughts and opinions regarding those around us. That being said, American studies courses are a great place to start while students are still in college and are able to take such courses. According to Boston University, acquiring jobs with a background in American studies offers former students the appropriate and adequate knowledge of the politics and relations within the country. Whether working as a lawyer, journalist or filmmaker, those who take courses in American studies are able to gain unique insights within their cultural environment and make more politically conscious decisions. Many college students learn everything they can about the specific field they want to enter after graduation. They mainly take specialized classes that prepare them for careers in their desired area of study, but they

learn nothing about the country and society they live in. Students don’t get to learn about the American class system, the disparities in wealth by race and ethnicity, the reasons why low-income communities are predominantly filled with BIPOC or why Black and Brown communities are more susceptible to the school-to-prison pipeline. If those students later become policy-makers, lawyers or find themselves in any position that creates change in this country, it’s important for them to know the truth and the real history behind America. Regardless, they are ultimately taxpayers and voters, and they have the power to incite real change with their votes. However, those votes can’t make change for the better if they don’t know what to look for in public policy or voting propositions. The K-12 school system teaches American propaganda that uplifts white supremacy and disguises our bloody and painful history. They subtly brush over America’s atrocious past and white-washing history. When students are taught about Spanish missionaries and Native Americans, they conveniently leave out the violence, bloodshed and forced labor. If we don’t know our history and the modern implications it has created for marginalized communities, we are bound to repeat it. Additionally, each course provides a different perspective of American culture and teaches students how historical events, people and institutions play a role in the shaping of our nation. It’s important to acknowledge this history because it has a direct impact on our society today as it shapes our beliefs, values, and interactions with one another. Learning how American structures and institutions influence our point of view, will allow us to reevaluate our own preconceived notions about society and culture. It will teach us to be cautious and analytical when dealing with the immense diversity in American culture, past and present.

CINDY PROAÑO / DAILY TITAN VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM